Lake Creek
Closed — Closed for the season. Open early May through late September, weather dependent. Services such as water, trash, and a host may not be available early or late in the season. All sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations.
Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness
This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public health and safety in the Rocky Mountain Region. This Order is supplemental to and does not rescind or replace those restrictions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A, or any Forest Supervisor Order issued under 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart B.
Cave Closure and Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.
Downed and weakened trees on South Platte Ranger District
Due to sustained high winds from the last stormfront, expect to see many downed and weakened trees on roads and trails in the South Platte Ranger District.
Turkey Tracks 69 wildfire alert
UPDATE 12/1/2025: The Turkey Tracks 69 wildfire is controlled at 22 acres as of Nov. 30.Name: Turkey Tracks 69Location: 14.4 miles northwest of Woodland Park, Colo., off Highway 67 and Forest Service Road 343Size: 8 acres (estimated)
Seasonal area closure for Rock Climbing near Devils Head Trailhead
This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.Please note that this closure is only in effect between March 1 and July 31 of each year.
La Plata Wildfire Area Closure [Reduced]
This order affects the Leadville Ranger District.The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.
Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the Leadville, Salida and South Park ranger districts.This order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness and to protect the character, solitude and condition of this wilderness.
Wigwam Spur Trail, NFST 609.A closure
This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety and a sensitive riparian habitat from further damage.
Trinchera Road and Vicinity Closure Order
This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety by prohibiting entry into the associated road and surrounding area while logging operations are underway.
South Platte Ranger District Over-Snow Vehicle Use
This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Seasonal Prohibition of Motor Vehicles on Roads and Trails
This order affects the Salida, Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte ranger districts.
Mount Evans Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Lost Creek Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the South Park and South Platte ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Trinchera Road Motor Vehicle Restrictions
This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.
Mount Massive Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the Leadville Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Collegiate Peak Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the Leadville and Salida ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Waldo Canyon Burn Area Closure
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety due to impacts of the Waldo Canyon fire.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area Occupancy and Use Regulations
This order affects the San Carlos and Salida ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness and Spanish Peaks Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Pike National Forest Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the Pikes Peak, South Platte and South Park ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Occupancy and Use Prohibitions
This order affects the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
San Isabel National Forest Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the Leadville, Salida and San Carlos ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
South Catamount Dam Repair
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during Colorado Springs Utilities South Catamount Dam repair.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Food Storage Prohibitions on Pike-San Isabel National Forests
This order affects the Pikes Peak, South Platte, South Park, Leadville, Salida and San Carlos ranger districts.The purpose of the order is to protect public safety by minimizing adverse interactions between bears and humans.
Castle Rock Area Closure
This order affects the Salida Ranger District.The purpose of the order is to protect an active golden eagle nest site.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.
Holy Cross Wilderness Prohibitions
This order affects the Leadville Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character by managing recreational use within the Holy Cross Wilderness.
Occupancy and Use Prohibitions Pertaining to Lakes
This order affects the Leadville, Salida, San Carlos, Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public safety.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.
Crags Winter Area Closure
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety and natural resources.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.
Rampart Range Road 300 Winter Closure
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety and natural resources.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions with Designated Camping and Parking Areas
This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
East Indian Creek Road Closure
This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety due to erosion and flooding in the area affected by the Spring Creek Fire.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
South Colony Lakes Fire Restriction
This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect the South Colony Basin’s wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Badger Flats Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
South Hardscrabble Overnight Camping Restriction
This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety from the effects of the Junkins Fire.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
LaSalle Pass West and Elevenmile Canyon Entrance Seasonal Restriction
This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of the order is to protect active nest sites of birds of prey pursuant to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 668-668d) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. §§ 703–712).
Eagle Rock and Observatory Rock Occupancy and Use Restriction
This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of this order is for species protection pursuant to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 668-668d).Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Ski Cooper and Tennessee Pass Nordic Center Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the Leadville Ranger District.This order is necessary to protect public safety and ski area permitted property.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Prohibition on Camping in Areas Posted as Closed to Camping
This order affects all districts on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.
Trail #661 and Severy Creek Occupation and Use Restrictions
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.
Seasonal Restriction on Dogs Near Section House and Wagon Cabin
This order affects the South Park Ranger District.
Forest Development Road 565 Motor Vehicle Seasonal Restrictions Except Snowmobiles
This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Seasonal Road Closures
This order affects the South Park Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Seasonal Road Closures
This order affects the Leadville Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information.
Prohibiting Use of Motor Vehicle without a State License Plate
This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect forest resources, minimize user conflicts and promote user safety.Please see the attached document for more information.
Motor Vehicle Use Prohibition on Parts of Alpine Tunnel Road
This order affects the Leadville Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Queen's Canyon Quarry Season Closure
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Monument Nursery Headquarters Prohibited Entry
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Prohibiting Use of Motor Vehicles without State License Plate
This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.This order is issued for public safety and to conform with the laws of the state of Colorado.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Lower and Upper Strontia Springs Canyon Occupancy and Use Restrictions
This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Specimen Rock Seasonal Closure Peregrine Falcon Protection
This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
Forest Road 228 Permanent Motorized Vehicle Use Restriction
This order affects the South Park Ranger District.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.
About
Lake Creek Campground is a small, intimate campground with 11 sites nestled among abundant trees in the San Isabel National Forest near Westcliffe, Colorado. Some campsites are positioned along Lake Creek, offering a peaceful streamside setting. The campground serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with nearby access to the Rainbow Trail #1336 and wilderness trails including North Brush Trail #1356 and South Brush Trail #1355. The Rainbow Trail is a motorized trail open to ATV and motorcycle use that runs along the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Trails leading into the wilderness are restricted to nonmotorized and nonmechanized use only, and wilderness regulations apply. Each campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring or grate, and pedestal grill. A hand pump provides water, and vault toilets are available. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Bears are common in the area, and a bear closure order is in place requiring all food and attractants to be stored in a bear-resistant manner. The campground enforces a maximum 14-night consecutive stay, with up to 8 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles permitted per site. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and quiet hours are observed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Directions
From Westcliffe, Colorado, travel 11 miles north on State Highway 69 to County Road 198, then 3 miles west to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (719) 269-8500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
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